Welcome to the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Donald Gill, Ph.D. Chair of Cellular and Molecular Physiology

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Penn State College of Medicine provides outstanding training opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in pursuing a career in the cellular, molecular and/or metabolic aspects of physiology. The Department offers a faculty of international reputation along with modern, well-equipped laboratories in a beautiful setting conducive to outstanding academic achievement and research productivity.

The research laboratories of individual department faculty members encompass a total of approximately 22,000 square feet. These facilities are well equipped with modern analytical instruments. Currently, 21 faculty members hold primary appointments in the department; 10 faculty of other departments hold joint appointments in Physiology. In addition, 9 individuals are engaged in postdoctoral training in Department laboratories.

The quality of the Department is reflected in the fact that within the past five years, the 20 individuals holding primary tenure track appointments in the Department have published a total of 157 scientific papers, invited reviews, abstracts and book chapters. These articles have been published in the best journals in physiology, biological chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and neurobiology.

Both the quality and quantity of these publications have led to substantial federal and private research grant support, with the bulk of these funds granted from the National Institutes of Health. The current total direct cost research funding generated within the department is $6.1 million with an additional $2.7 million in indirect costs. This grant support averages more than $305,000 per tenure track appointment.

The service activities of the faculty include membership and leadership on the committees of the University and on peer review committees at the national and international levels. Department members serve as Editor or Associate Editor of the major journals in their area of expertise. Several additional department members serve on major editorial boards including those of the American Journal of Physiology, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Biochemical Journal and the International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Service in advisory groups and national study sections is also extensive. Several faculty have received national awards including Established Investigatorships from the American Heart Association and both Career Development Awards and MERIT Awards from the National Institutes of Health. Others have been recognized with honorary professorships. Most of the faculty in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology have gained world-wide recognition for major, pioneering accomplishments in their field of interest.

Permanent link to this article: http://www2.med.psu.edu/physiology/

Our Mission and Vision

A compelling picture of the future we are creating: to be viewed as a model department in providing and integrating the education of medical and graduate students, the discovery and validation of biomedical knowledge, and the active engagement of the college, university, and professional communities that we serve.